Women's History Month

In honor of Women's History Month, we're highlighting the stories of 30 influential women from McLean County's past. Spanning multiple generations and hailing from various backgrounds, these women have transformed our community, leaving an indelible mark on our history. Click on the name or image of the woman you want to learn more about. They are listed in alphabetical order by last name.

Feeling inspired by their stories? Join us on Saturday, March 23, 2024, from 2-4 p.m. for 50 Years of Women's Rights: an Interactive & Intergenerational Dialogue, presented in collaboration with the McLean County League of Women Voters.

Bohrer, Florence Fifer

Florence Fifer Bohrer was no stranger to politics. She was born in 1877 into a political family in Bloomington, Illinois. She was the youngest child of Joseph W. “Private Joe” and Gertrude Fifer.

Burnham, Almira Sarah Ives

At the turn of the twentieth century, when the public reception of visual arts in Bloomington, Illinois could be characterized as...

Calimese, Louise

Napoleon J. Calimese (pronounced Calimeez) was born February 18, 1890 in Irvine, Kentucky. He was one of six children born to Jerome...

Clark, Lue Anna Sanders

Lue Anna Brown was born on January 26, 1892 in a rural area in Bandana, Kentucky, to William and Laura Brown. Anna (as she was known to most) was the third of four children and was the youngest daughter born to the couple.

Crothers, Dr. Marie Louise

Dr. Mrs. Marie Louise (DePew) Crothers (1833-1920), wife of well-respected physician and druggist Dr. Eli Kirk...

Crothers, Rachel

Rachel Crothers was a playwright and theatrical director known for her well-crafted plays that often dealt with feminist themes.

Delroy, Irene

Josephine “Joey” Lucille Sanders was born on July 21, 1900 to Royal W. and Della (Soverns) Sanders. Royal was a teacher and coach at Bloomington High School when he met his future wife Della, who was a student who played on the girls’ basketball team that he coached.

Duff, Julia

Julia Edith Duff was born on June 5, 1895 in Normal, Illinois, the daughter of Peter Charles and Fannie (Walker) Duff. Her parents...

Ebo, Sister Mary Antona

Sister Mary Antona Ebo was a well-behaved woman who DID make history as one of the Sisters of Selma who marched for voting rights for African Americans in 1965.

Ewing, Hazle Buck

World traveler, pioneering activist, environmentalist, and philanthropist, Hazle Buck Ewing was born on December 25, 1880 to Orlando John and Lillian (Brewer) Buck.

Eyestone, Lura

Lura Mary Eyestone was born in Bloomington, Illinois on October 14, 1872 to Theodore Riley and Martha (Liston) Congleton. When Lura...

Gertrude “Mickey” Comeau King

Mickey King was known as the “Queen of the Air.” This little dynamo rocked the circus world with her aerialistic achievements.

Hendryx, Jane Frankeberger

Jane Frankeberger was born in Champaign County, Ohio on September 4, 1818 to Jesse and his second wife, Rosanna (Rhinehart)...

Jones, Eva

Eva Jones (1930-1987) was a woman who never turned away from challenging situations or tough decisions. She was the first Black person elected to the Bloomington District 87 Board of Education in 1971 and the Bloomington City Council in 1979. In these leadership roles, her voice amplified the needs of previously underrepresented individuals during a period of increased racial tension in the community and across the country. Outside her elected positions, she also worked with McLean County's YWCA, League of Women Voters, and United Way.

Kaywood, Florence Stevens

Florence (Stevens) Kaywood was born on October 8, 1864 to William and Sarah (Shields) Stevens in Bloomington. She was the second of...

Kirk, Margaret "Peg"

Margaret "Peg" Kirk was born to Bernard and Veryl Sidley in Akron, Ohio, in 1933. She attended Kent State University and graduated magna cum laude.

Laurenti, Luellen

Soon after settling in Normal, Illinois, Luellen began to participate in efforts to promote women’s rights. Laurenti worked tirelessly to organize local meetings and rallies in support of the ERA in Illinois.

Litta, Marie

Marie (pronounced Maria) Litta, born Marie Eugenia von Elsner, was born in Bloomington, IL on June 1, 1856 at her family’s home...

Markowitz, Judy

Few women in McLean County history have had a greater impact on our community than Judy Markowitz.

McCurdy, Helen Clark

Helen Clark was born in Bloomington, Illinois on February 21, 1866 to James and Anna (Bacon) Clark. Hallie (as she was also referred...

Milner, Angeline Vernon

Angeline Vernon Milner (1856-1928), known to most as Ange, is one of Illinois' most famous librarians. Milner became Illinois State (Normal) University's first full-time librarian in 1890, serving nearly 40 years. Her passion for library science drew national attention and shaped the university's curriculum. Milner was a founding member of the Illinois branch of the American Library Association and instituted the idea of teaching college students how to use library resources in their studies, a practice she outlined for other teachers' colleges to follow. Fan Favorite

Muxfeld, Louise

Louise Muxfeld, known as “Lizzie” by all, was born as Johanna Louise Catherine Tobecksen on June 7, 1853 in the city of Schoenburg in...

Neville, Edith

Edith Neville, one of Bloomington’s most wealthy and eccentric citizens, was born in Bloomington on August 29, 1885. She was the...

Reitan, Carol

Carol Reitan holds a place in history as the only woman to ever serve as Mayor of Normal, but her longtime community leadership and influence extends well beyond the town hall.

Sarah Raymond Fitzwilliams

Sarah Raymond Fitzwilliam was a community activist, pre-progressive educator and reformer, and leader in curriculum development.

Stevenson, Letitia Green

Letitia Barbour Green Stevenson was born in Alleghany City in Western Pennsylvania on January 8, 1843. Her father was Reverend Lewis...

Trotter, Georgina

Georgina Trotter (1836-1904) and Sarah Raymond Fitzwilliam (1842 – 1918) were advocates and close friends who wanted better for Bloomington. Businesswoman Georgina Trotter was the first woman elected to the Bloomington Board of Education in 1874. She served alongside educator Sarah Raymond Fitzwilliam, who became the first female superintendent of Bloomington Public Schools that same year. These women had an uphill battle to prove they were worthy of these positions. Together, they worked side-by-by-side to improve the quality of education students received in Bloomington Public Schools and to improve the lives of others in the community.

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